Spilling More Than Just Milk
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Cortisol & Parenthood: Why You’re Stressed, and What Science Says About It
Parenthood—the glorious adventure that starts with sleepless nights and bottle warmers, then somehow escalates into chasing a sticky toddler who’s sprinting toward traffic while yelling, “I AM A DINOSAUR!” Whether you’re dealing with a newborn’s 3 AM existential crises or a toddler’s meltdown because you dared to pee alone, there’s one thing quietly working overtime in your body: cortisol—the VIP of stress hormones.
Cradle cap AKA “Baby Dandruff”
After the haze of labor and delivery wore off and my family was back at home getting rest and getting to know one another, my husband and I realized our son had these fair-sized flakes on his scalp. Since at least a couple of days had passed, it couldn’t be from being in utero. He had a couple of sponge baths by this point. It looked like dandruff or a skin issue. It wasn’t alarming but felt pretty natural. Come to find out, it was cradle cap. He didn’t have a bad case, pretty light in comparison to what my Google search came up with. We ended up using a Frida Baby bath mitt when we were bathing him over the following days, and with time, water, and a little gentle rubbing, it all flaked off. His head was totally fine, no blood or obvious discomfort. Just another thing to learn about in the steep learning curve of being a first-time parent. Parenting is a wild ride.
Everything You Need to Know About Getting Breastmilk Through Airport Security
When my son was three months old, I returned to work. By the time he was four months old, I had a travel job that required me to fly across the country. As an exclusively pumping mom with a strong milk supply, my plan was to pump consistently during the trip to maintain my supply and hopefully bring some milk home for my son towards the end of my trip. Luckily, I had pumped enough milk in advance to cover his needs while I was away, but I didn’t want to waste any milk during my travels. My goal was to bring a couple of bags back to keep my stock up.
What the fuck are mongolian spots?
When our son was born, we were basking in that golden-hour glow of newborn euphoria—until we noticed dark spots on his lower back near the top of his bum. They looked suspiciously like bruises, and naturally, I low key panicked. “Was this from the birth canal? Did we do something wrong?” But when the pediatrician did their rounds, they didn’t even mention the spots. That’s when I did the worst thing possible: Googled it. Spoiler alert: Googling your baby’s symptoms is like playing medical roulette.
Navigating Thanksgiving with a Newborn (Without Losing Your Mind)
Thanksgiving with a newborn sounds dreamy, right? Your baby meets the fam, you indulge in a feast, and it’s all heartwarming togetherness. But let’s be real—it’s also the perfect storm for unsolicited advice, personal space invasions, and people trying to kiss your baby even after you’ve made it clear they shouldn’t.
Comparing Kamala Harris and Donald Trump: Key Issues for New Parents
With the election underway, here’s a detailed comparison of Kamala Harris's and Donald Trump's positions on issues impacting new parents. This overview also includes their stances on healthcare, paid family leave, tax benefits, and reproductive healthcare—highlighting the candidates’ distinct visions for supporting families and their approaches to funding these initiatives.
What Does the President Have to Do with Your Baby’s First Year?
Even through its fairly easy to agree with the age old saying of “no politics and religion at the dinner table”, it’s worth noting how presidential policies can have a big impact on your life as a new parent. Here’s a quick breakdown of how.
The Worst Lactation Specialist in Brooklyn
Let me set the stage for you: a new mom, a tiny human with an insatiable appetite, and a whole lot of confusion. A wise friend once said, “Back in the day, we raised babies in a tribe, with all the women before us ready to lend a hand.” Fast forward to today, and many of us are navigating this wild ride without our tribes nearby. So, what do we do? We hire our tribes!
Newborn Belly Button 101: Handling Your Baby's First 'Outie
Ah, the belly button—the tiny, mysterious mark left behind from one of the most magical connections ever made between a parent and child. Sure, it might not look like much in those early days, but your newborn’s navel holds a whole lot of significance. From keeping the area clean to managing diaper changes around it, belly button care is one of those sneaky parenting tasks you didn’t realize would take up so much of your brain space.
Vernix: Your Baby’s First Spa Treatment
Let’s talk about something no one told you at the baby shower: vernix caseosa. Don’t worry, it’s not a new disease or an exotic cheese you’ll be forced to sample at a fancy restaurant. It’s actually your baby’s first (and best) skincare routine—a waxy, creamy coating that makes your little one look like they just emerged from a spa rather than the womb. That’s right, your baby’s living their best life in utero, rocking a luxurious layer of vernix while the rest of us are still trying to figure out which moisturizer to use.
Positional Plagiocephaly Chronicles
When my sweet baby boy made his grand entrance into the world, we were immediately greeted by a surprise: a little flat spot on the back of his head. This wasn’t in the “How to Have a Baby” manual we read in childbirth class!
The Resilience of 9/11 Babies: Stories of Hope and Reflection
September 11, 2001, is a day etched in history for its profound tragedy and loss. However, amidst the heartache and devastation, new life emerged in New York City. For these “9/11 babies,” their arrival on this fateful day not only marked the beginning of their lives but also, in some cases, became intertwined with their parents' survival stories.
Surviving Our First Week as Parents (and Two Hospital Stays!)
When you have a baby, it feels like you’re worried about everything under the sun. You’re constantly on edge, unsure of what you’ll need or what could potentially go wrong. It’s like you’re on a roller coaster and just hoping it doesn’t go off the rails.
The Big Snip or Not? The Circumcision Dilemma All New Boy Parents Face
So, you've got a baby boy on the way, and as if choosing between a dozen strollers and mastering diaper changes weren’t enough, now you’ve got to answer one of the age-old parental questions: to circumcise or not to circumcise?
The Evolution of Baby Fashion: From Basic to Hilarious
Once upon a time, baby fashion was all about functionality. Think plain white onesies and knitted booties that Grandma made. But oh, how times have changed! Today, baby fashion has evolved into a hilarious, trendy, and downright adorable industry that leaves us cooing at every tiny outfit. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and explore how we went from basic to laugh-out-loud baby fashion.
Becoming a Father: The Crash Course
Ah, the first kid—where you're equal parts excited and terrified, and feeling completely unprepared for the job. You can try to predict what parenthood will be like, but guess what? You’re doing the predicting, and you’ve got zero experience. It’s like trying to explain snow to someone who’s lived their whole life in the desert—good luck.
Can Babies regulate their own temperatures?
Today’s topic: Can babies regulate their own body temperatures? Spoiler alert: the answer involves a lot more work for you than for them. Let's break it down!
What the fuck is brick dust?
Welcome to the wild world of parenting, where every day is an adventure and every diapie change holds the potential for a surprise. Speaking of surprises, let’s talk about one that can really freak out new parents: brick dust. If you’ve ever opened your baby’s diaper and found what looks like reddish, rust-colored powder, you’re not alone. Here’s everything you need to know about this mysterious phenomenon.
The Great Fade: How *SOME* Parenting Judgments Magically Disappear After Year One
Ah, the first year of parenthood. It’s a beautiful time filled with baby snuggles, first giggles, and more unsolicited advice than you ever thought possible. From breastfeeding to bedtime routines, it seems everyone has an opinion. But here’s a little secret: all those judgments? They miraculously fade away after the first birthday. Let’s dive into the top five things new parents are judged for and how they magically stop mattering after the big one.
The Nursing Chair That I Never Nursed In: A Hilariously Emotional Tale
When I was pregnant with my first baby, I had this vision of being the quintessential "Brooklyn Mom." Picture it: limited gear, baby strapped to me in a chic sling, and zero bottles because I would be the breastfeeding queen. Naturally, I devoted an embarrassing amount of time to finding the perfect nursing chair for my baby’s room. It had to swivel, rock gently, have the perfect arm height for elbow support, and a tall enough back to rest my head during those dreamy late-night feedings. The fabric had to be just right—nothing too dark since I imagined countless meals being spilled on it. Finally, I found "The One," ordered it online, and couldn't wait to sit in it, pregnant, daydreaming about nursing my soon-to-arrive little boy. Little did I know that the times I sat in it pregnant would outnumber those after he arrived.